Minnesota and the Swedes.
By George I. Butler
Since my last report from Johnstown Center, Wis., I have held meetings at Maiden Rock, Wis., and been nearly two weeks with Bro. Lee, and the Swedes who have embraced the Sabbath. At Maiden Rock, there was a good attendance from those who were not believers with us, so good an attendance that the school-house was well filled. I preached mainly on theoretical subjects, as I knew there were some desirous of hearing our views. Some proclaimed themselves convinced upon the Sabbath question, and others appear to be candidly seeking for light. If the church there will set a high and holy example before the outside world, I believe there may be an ingathering of souls to the Lord. I was glad to meet Brn. Olsen and Downer of the Wisconsin Conference at this meeting. They came, with several others, quite a distance. The former is holding meetings among the Norwegians and Danes; the latter, among the Americans. Bro. Chas. Lee, who has been doing a good work among the Swedes, was also present. And Bro. Stephen Rosie, who will soon be laboring among the Germans, lives in this place. These, with myself, made up quite a mixture of ministers of different nationalities. Here, at one small meeting, were five ministers in four different tongues. This is quite a significant illustration of that message which the Scriptures declare must go to “peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” Bro. Downer preached once to the Americans, and Bro. Lee held one service in Swedish, quite a number of that people living in this vicinity. They gave good attention. A number of them extended to him a cordial invitation to return and hold meetings among them, offering to pay his expenses back. This seems to be a promising opening, and one which Bro. Lee designs soon to fill. Bro. Olsen also found what appears to be a good opening among the Norwegians, within a few miles of Maiden Rock, which he will also fill. Our meeting with the Swedes at Chisago Lake, Minn., was to me a very interesting one. There were several from Isanti County. We met in a private house, and there were about twenty-five grown people in all. Some could speak English, and some could not. So the services were entirely in Swedish. I preached four times. I would talk five or ten minutes, and then Bro. Lee would translate to the people. I felt very free in spirit while with them, and felt much at home. In their social meeting Sabbath afternoon, though I could not understand a word, I could feel the good spirit of the meeting. The people seemed to be very devotional and earnest. During the meetings, many eyes were filled with tears. They set our American people a good example in their demeanor during religious services. When they come in, many of them bow their heads in brief, silent prayer, and there was a marked absence of that light and chaffy spirit, so often seen before services commence in many American congregations. They acted as though they had really come to engage in the worship of God. Certainly, seriousness is most appropriate at such a time. So far as I could discover, this people have made very rapid advancement in their knowledge of the doctrines of our people. And they seem to have more love for them than American bodies of believers do with the same instruction; while in simplicity and devotion they generally excel our people. I was happily disappointed to find them free from tobacco and pork, and on the road to good health-reform habits. Their advancement in this shows that they have had proper teaching upon these points. The Swedes who have embraced the Sabbath seem to me to be above the average of our foreign population in intelligence and refinement—much above what I expected to find. I have not been better cared for, or found more neat and comfortable homes, generally, among Americans, nor as good on an average. This people seemed greatly pleased and encouraged by my presence among them, and wondered why I should take so much pains to visit the “poor Swedes.” They greatly rejoiced at the interest I take in their spiritual prosperity, and at my desire to see the work move forward among their people. It was truly refreshing to my spirit to see a class of people so simple, earnest, and devoted, who have so recently embraced the truth of God from another nationality. Having the week before me, before my appointment at Medford was to be fulfilled, I visited another company of Swedes with Bro. Lee, west of Minneapolis. We held three meetings with them. The weather was cold, and the appointment was not understood, so there were not as many out as there would otherwise have been. Here the Swedes are better acquainted with the English language, and they could understand me. Here at Litchfield is a church of nearly forty members who have recently embraced the truth. They seem zealous and devoted. Some of them are quite well off, and are interesting and refined people. We shall be greatly disappointed if some of them are not valuable members. There are four organized churches of the Swedes, recently brought out by Bro. Lee. Three of them are north of St. Paul in Chisago and Isanti Counties, and the Litchfield church is west of Minneapolis in Meeker County. These churches number in all upward of one hundred Sabbath-keepers. The work of Bro. Lee among the Swedes is certainly remarkable, considering all the circumstances. He commenced about two years ago with no experience in this work, never having heard a course of lectures himself, and not being much accustomed to public speaking. He had been passing through most serious troubles in his own experience before he embraced the truth, which were enough to break down almost any man. These were brought upon him by others. Because of the effect of these upon him, some Sabbath-keepers were suspicious of him, and had no confidence in his making efforts in the direction of preaching. In fact, he received but little sympathy from our American Sabbath-keepers anywhere. He was without friends or influence, and wended his way on foot from Central Iowa to Central and Northern Minnesota, and went to work in such openings as he could find. He suffered privations, such as very few of our preachers know anything about. He met opposition from priests, and those under their influence, most bitter and determined. Even his life was threatened in some instances. And after the most careful inquiry, I cannot learn that he provoked this by any personalities or improper conduct; but, on the contrary, he was usually mild, and free from using unnecessarily cutting language. If any think this noble work which has been wrought among the Swedes was easily accomplished, they very much misconceive the facts in the case. I think, after careful inquiry, that our ministers never met fiercer opposition. Our American people, always accustomed to free speech, do not understand the bitterness of feeling sometimes manifested by those coming from other lands where church and State are united, and the strong arm of power is made to be felt in religious matters. That Bro. Lee should have had such success under these circumstances is good evidence that he learned to lean on a mightier Arm than puny man possesses. He learned to cry to God in distress and agony of soul for help, and he received it. The fruits of these labors eternity will show. Here is an example for some of our young men of culture and ability. We invite them to study it, and go to work for God. Go and do likewise. Bro. Lee is happy in the Lord, and of good courage to labor anywhere. He will be very busy among the Swedes, setting before them the precious truths of the message. May God richly bless him and his people. My acquaintance with him and them will be long remembered by me with pleasure. GEO. I. BUTLER. Medford, Minn., Jan. 26, 1874.